Frequently Asked Questions

Campbell Landscape was founded in 1979 — serving Silicon Valley since 1979 in the Santa Clara Valley area. We've completed thousands of projects across Silicon Valley, and a significant portion of our new business comes from referrals by past clients. Our longevity is a direct result of doing work right the first time.

Campbell Landscape is licensed by the California Contractors State License Board. Our license number is CAL Lic# 436593, classification C27 (Landscape Contractor) with a HICB (Home Improvement Contractor) designation. You can verify our current license status at cslb.ca.gov at any time.

Yes. We carry comprehensive general liability insurance as well as workers' compensation coverage for every crew member on your property. Our general liability policy provides coverage for property damage and bodily injury, and we name homeowners as additional insureds on request during the active construction period. We're happy to provide a certificate of insurance to your lender or HOA upon request before work begins.

Campbell Landscape self-performs its core work and brings in long-standing specialist partners for licensed trades — all coordinated under Campbell Landscape's project management with a single point of contact for you. You won't have a different company showing up halfway through your project.

Every project starts with a complimentary on-site consultation where we walk the property, listen to your vision, and assess site conditions. From there, our in-house design team develops a comprehensive plan that covers hardscape layout, planting zones, drainage, irrigation, lighting, and any water features or structures. We present the plan as scaled drawings and a detailed scope of work. We don't move to excavation until you approve every line. That process — from first meeting to final approval — typically takes two to four weeks depending on project complexity and our current workload.

Yes — and we treat irrigation and drainage as fundamental infrastructure, not an afterthought. Poor drainage is the number one cause of long-term hardscape failure in Silicon Valley, and inefficient irrigation is the number one cause of plant loss. Every project we build includes a drainage plan designed to current code, and we install dual-zone irrigation systems that separate decorative planting from turf zones. We use weather-responsive smart controllers so your system adjusts automatically throughout the year.

Pool construction begins with engineering and permitting, which in Santa Clara County can take four to eight weeks depending on the jurisdiction and whether geotechnical reports are needed. Once permits are pulled, excavation typically takes three to five days. Gunite or concrete shell installation runs another one to two weeks, followed by tile, coping, and equipment set — roughly two to three weeks. From there, plaster or pebble finish and start-up take two to three weeks. A fully equipped pool project from groundbreaking to first swim averages four to six months.

We design and build outdoor kitchens, fire pits and fireplaces, covered patios and pergolas, retaining walls, water features, shade structures, outdoor bars, built-in seating, and sport courts. Each is customized to your property's dimensions and how you intend to use the space. We don't sell pre-configured packages — every feature is drawn and priced as part of your specific project scope.

We install both low-voltage and line-voltage landscape lighting systems depending on the application. Low-voltage LED systems are standard for path lighting, uplighting trees, and highlighting water features — they're energy-efficient and easy to maintain. We also design and install structural lighting for covered patios, outdoor kitchens, and entertaining areas. All lighting is integrated into the overall design from the beginning, not tacked on at the end. We use lighting not just for safety and visibility, but as a design element that extends the usable hours of your outdoor space into the evening.

We do, and for many Silicon Valley properties, they're not optional — they're necessary. We design water-wise landscapes using California-native and Mediterranean-climate plant palettes, permeable hardscape materials, rainwater retention systems, and smart irrigation technology. We've helped many clients qualify for Santa Clara Valley Water District rebate programs by converting turf to drought-tolerant designs. A sustainable landscape doesn't mean a boring one — it means a resilient one that thrives in our climate without excessive water use.

Every project is scoped individually. We build everything from smaller refresh projects to full estate transformations. The only way to know for your property is a site visit. We provide itemized bids with no hidden line items, and we walk you through every trade-off.

Absolutely. We regularly design phased projects. A common approach is to complete the hardscape and structural elements first — that's the pool, patios, walls, and outdoor kitchen — and return the following season for softscape, irrigation, and lighting. We've structured phased plans over two and three years for clients who want to manage cash flow without compromising the long-term vision. We document the master plan upfront so every phase integrates cleanly.

We're not the cheapest bid in the room, and we don't pretend to be. We compete on value — which means detailed engineering, accountable project management, quality materials, and finished work that holds up over decades. When you compare bids, make sure every bid includes the same scope: the same square footage of hardscape, the same material grades, the same drainage provisions. We've seen clients choose a lower bid only to discover halfway through the project that the lower bid excluded permitting, site prep, or itemized materials. We provide itemized bids so you can see exactly what you're paying for.

We handle all permit filings as part of our standard project management. Pools, arbors, retaining walls over four feet, and any structural elements require permits in most Silicon Valley jurisdictions. Our team prepares the engineering drawings, submits to the appropriate city or county building department, and follows through until permits are issued. For typical pool projects in San Jose, Cupertino, or Los Gatos, permitting generally runs four to eight weeks. We build those timelines into your project schedule from day one.

We work throughout Silicon Valley's premier residential communities, including San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Atherton, Woodside, Palo Alto, Campbell, Morgan Hill, Almaden Valley, and Monte Sereno. Our crews are based in Campbell, which means we can provide prompt service and regular on-site presence for clients throughout these communities without significant travel delays.

Our primary service radius is a 20-mile radius from Campbell. For projects beyond that, we evaluate on a case-by-case basis depending on current workload and project scope. We occasionally take projects in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Half Moon Bay, and Fremont — but these are the exception. The best way to find out is to call us directly with your address and project description.

Three things differentiate us. First, our in-house design team produces construction-ready drawings — not sketches or concept drawings — so what you approve is exactly what gets built. Second, we manage every trade on your project directly, which means one point of accountability from groundbreaking to final walk-through. Third, we've been here since 1979. We've outlasted most companies in this space, we've built deep relationships with local building departments, and we know what works in Silicon Valley soil and climate. We also offer a two-year warranty on hardscape and plant material — that's uncommon in this industry.

Yes. We provide a two-year warranty on all hardscape elements — patios, walls, outdoor structures, and pools — and a one-year warranty on plant material. The plant warranty covers replacement if a plant fails due to improper installation or irrigation error; it does not cover drought damage from lack of homeowner maintenance or acts of nature. We also offer optional maintenance agreements that include seasonal irrigation adjustments, fertilization, and plant health checks designed to protect your investment.

A newly installed landscape needs regular attention for the first two to three growing seasons to establish plant material. Key maintenance includes adjusting irrigation as plants mature, seasonal fertilization, weed control, and pruning. Pools require weekly chemical balancing, filter maintenance, and seasonal opening and closing procedures. We offer maintenance programs tailored to each client — from bi-weekly irrigation checks to full-service property care — so your landscape continues to look as good as the day we finished it.

Yes. We offer maintenance programs for properties of all ages and origins. We'll conduct an initial landscape assessment, identify any existing issues with irrigation, plant health, or hardscape, and build a care plan around what your property actually needs. You don't need to have had us build the original project to qualify for our maintenance services.

The simplest first step is to call us at (408) 497-8600 or send an email to info@campbell-landscape.com. Tell us what you're thinking — a pool, a complete backyard remodel, a new outdoor kitchen, or just a design consultation. We'll set up a complimentary on-site visit, walk the property with you, and have an honest conversation about what's feasible, what things cost, and what the timeline looks like. There's no pressure and no obligation. We'll follow up with a written proposal within five to seven business days.

Once you approve the proposal and sign the contract, we submit for permits (if applicable) and order materials. We assign a dedicated project manager who will be your single point of contact throughout construction. We provide a detailed start date and projected timeline before we break ground, and we communicate proactively — not just when something goes wrong. Your project manager conducts regular site walks and sends you progress updates. We don't disappear after the contract is signed.

Change orders are part of any construction project, and we handle them professionally. If you want to add a feature, swap materials, or modify a layout detail mid-build, your project manager documents the change and provides a written cost impact before proceeding. We don't begin change order work until you sign off. For smaller adjustments, we can often accommodate within the same day. For larger scope changes, we renegotiate that specific line item and adjust your project schedule accordingly.